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| Having a good time while I'm still 31. |
So, back to the theme of today's blog. I turned 32 years old on November 14th. Not especially a landmark birthday and I'm not one for big birthday hullabaloo's anyway. But boy was it a good one! I had to fly up to Bishkek for work the day before my birthday, so Ryan organized an Osh birthday celebration for me the weekend prior. It was seriously one of the best birthdays I've had. We lounged around and slept in, I think we went running or biking?, I went to the local bazar with my girlfriend in town and did some awesome shopping, and Saturday evening Ryan took me out for a sweet, low-key dinner. (Even the prep work was romantic - Ryan and I were getting ready when our electricity went out so I finished my makeup by candlelight!)
We had tasty Russian borsch and wine at the restaurant. I thought that was it but then Ryan took me to a lounge bar and we were joined by a whole group of five other folks from Osh! Not only that, but Ryan had purchased a birthday cake and stashed it with our friends to bring to the bar. He really surprised me and I loved it.
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| Here's Ryan cutting the cake. |
It was so thoughtful and fun, well planned, and a lovely, lovely evening. On Sunday I had to fly up in the afternoon so we didn't have much time for other stuff, but we did fit in presents and more cake. Delish!
Side note: when I got to the office on Monday I remembered that in Central Asia, one traditionally has to treat others for one's birthday. I was supposed to bring in juice, sweets, fruit, cake or whatever for my birthday. It was a big deal and everyone expects this. I had totally forgotten and had nothing prepared, an amateur mistake. I rushed out that afternoon and got a cake for the office. This second cake was also tasty, but by that evening I was soooo over the sweets and excited to return to the hotel and hit the gym.
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| Birthday cake #3: Waiting for me when I returned to my hotel room after work. |
Lo and behold, the Hyatt had also remembered my birthday and left me a cake in my room! Super thoughtful and classy, but I wanted nothing of it. Anyway, I took a few photos because it was pretty. And the next morning we had a lovely snowfall in Bishkek so I am showing a picture of the white city from my hotel window, early morning.
Birthday party II, Bishkek-style will be the next post.
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| The snowfall scene waiting outside when I woke up the next day. |
